April 2000
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55 Reads
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7 Citations
Journal of Forensic Psychiatry
This paper considers the issue of sexual contact between staff and patients in psychiatric and, especially, forensic environments. Such relationships have been the subject of research in generic settings where a substantial minority of mental health professionals have been found to be involved. The effect of these relationships is substantial on both the individual patient and the organization. However, the issue of unethical intimacy is neglected by professions and organizations despite the harm done to patients they purport to care for. Characteristics of patients and staff who become involved in this type of activity are discussed and the particular features of forensic environments are raised in relation to understanding the violation of intimate boundaries. Recent studies call into question the assumption that such abuse is the preserve of male staff. Some suggestions are made for preventing this problem in psychiatric facilities.